This is my first full winter back in upstate NY since high school and I forgot how hard it can be to get in good workouts. I guess I've been spoiled in the past. In college I was at Cornell and had an indoor track for workouts and there wasn't as much snow. Then I was living in Flagstaff the last two years where I could drive 40-minutes south to Sedona or 2-hours and be in Phoenix. Now I have weather that is mid-20s on the nice days, side roads often covered with snow and ice and main roads with cars and a shoulder covered in snow/ice.
Since my job is online, I'm contemplating getting out of here for a bit in February/early March (maybe 4-weeks) and was wondering if anyone has some good suggestions for training locations on the east coast as I really have no clue. Still debating whether to go or not, but would like to get started with some research. Things I'm looking for:
-Warmth. Doesn't have to be hot like Florida, but I want to be able to drive to a local track and do a workout in 40 or 50 degree weather without worrying about it being covered by snow.
-Trails are a must. I hate running on road and have trouble staying healthy. Give me some soft surfaces.
-"Drive-ability". I don't the have money to fly to Cali or something, so I'm going to drive from NY. Rather not drive 20-hours to Florida. I was thinking something in the Carolina range, maybe Georgia at the furthest.
-Cheap renting options in the area are pretty crucial. If it's in a college town area, that helps since there are usually plenty of renting options and hopefully I could find a sublet on craigslist or something.
-Running community. If there are some decent running groups in the area to find training partners once in a while, that's a nice bonus, but not necessary.
***TL;DR Version: Where is a good place for winter training in the Carolinas or Georgia?
Thanks for any advice you can give.
-Steve